Burn Rules and Regulations

Setbacks for burning
Fire Weather Forecast

Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Withlacoochee Forestry Center
15019 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34601
(352)754-6757

Yard Trash Burn Rules and Regulations
Florida Statute 403.061(7) and 403.161
Adopting DEP Chapter 62-256.700 FAC

DEFINITION: Yard trash means vegetative matter resulting from landscaping and yard maintenance operations and includes materials such as tree and shrub trimmings, grass clippings, palm fronds, tree and tree stumps.

Open burning to reduce yard trash and household paper products generated on occupied residential premises of not more than two (2) family units is allowed in Citrus County provided the following conditions are met:

1. The open burning does not produce smoke, soot, odors, visible emissions, heat, flame, radiation, or other conditions to such a degree as to create a nuisance.
2. The open burning must be enclosed in a non-combustible barrel or container or restricted to a pile no larger than 8 feet in diameter built upon ground cleared of all combustible material. The non-combustible burn container or pile must meet the following setbacks:
   1. 150 feet or more from any occupied building other than owned or leased by the individual doing the burning.
   2. 50 feet or more from any public highway or road.
   3. 25 feet or more from any residence on the property where burning is conducted.
   4. 25 feet or more from any woodlands, forest, brush or any unoccupied building.
3. Burning cannot begin before 9:00 a.m. and must be extinguished one hour before sunset.
4. The fire must be attended at all times and adequate fire extinguishing equipment is readily available at all times.
5. Green or wet materials may not be burned.
6. Burning yard trash is restricted to the site where the material was generated and may not be transported to another property to be burned.
7. Plastics, rubber, oil, tires, household garbage, construction debris, or other illegally hazardous materials may not be burned.
8. Yard trash burning does not require authorization from the Division of Forestry. Any violation of these regulations is a criminal violation. The penalty for violation is a second degree misdemeanor or punishable by up to 60 days imprisonment and/or a fine up to $500.00.
   

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